David Moyes says he was "very close" to joining another club in the Premier League before deciding to come back to West Ham for a second spell in 2019.
The Scotsman initially took charge of the Hammers in November 2017 on a short-term deal, leaving at the end of the season having successfully guided the club away from relegation. His replacement Manuel Pellegrini took the team to their first top-half finish in the Premier League in his only full season at the club before being relieved of his duties five months into his second season following a poor run of form.
Moyes, who had not taken another job in the intervening period, was then asked to return as manager, a decision proving to be a masterstroke with the Hammers currently enjoying their best form in decades. The Scotsman again helped secure the club’s top-flight status by avoiding relegation before the 2020/21 season, during which he led them to their record Premier League points total (65) and qualified for the Europa League courtesy of a sixth-placed finish.
READ MORE: West Ham vs Eintracht Frankfurt LIVE: Confirmed team news, kick-off time, goal and score updates
This season the team have continued to set themselves high standards near the top end of the league table but, ahead of their Europa League semi-final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt at the London Stadium, Moyes said it could have all gone very differently.
"I was really close to another Premier League job at that time, very close," he told BBC Sport. "But when West Ham came and wanted me back I thought 'I'm having a go at that'. I really enjoyed my time here, I really did."
Moyes grew a name for himself as a manager while in charge of Preston North End between 1998 and 2002 before taking over at Everton, where he stayed for 11 years until 2013. At that point, Manchester United came calling, with Sir Alex Ferguson personally recommending Moyes as the man that would fill his spot in the Old Trafford dugout following retirement.
The appointment didn’t work though, and following 10 months in charge, he was relieved of his duties at the club. Short spells at Real Sociedad in Spain and Sunderland followed before Moyes eventually found his feet once again at West Ham.
"At Manchester United I thought 'what a chance' and I couldn’t make it work," he added. "I couldn’t win enough games in the 10 months to give myself more time. I’d like to have been able to turn it around and do something quickly which was required but I think over time what has suited me is being able to build something.
"Coming to West Ham, I knew if I could get some time that loads could be improved here. And there’s still more that needs to change. I’ve got a really open board, a great group of supporters who are behind the team and the club and it makes a huge difference.
"It’s a huge club in London. 62,500 capacity, in Europe in a semi-final, playing with some top players who are building the club and helping us push forward. Why would you not want to be a part of that?"
Moyes and West Ham face Eintracht Frankfurt tonight at the London Stadium in their first major European semi-final since the 1975-76 Cup Winners’ Cup, which also paired them with the same opponents from Germany. Follow along to our live blog of tonight’s game by clicking here.
